Plexiglass: Melissa Geiss and Emily Bissett!! (aka Team Awesome Possum!!)
General Information Common Name:Plexiglass or Acrylic Glass Technical Name: Polymethyl Methacrylate (C5O2H8)n. Is also abbreviated as PMMA. Type of Polymer: Synthetic. These polymers are man-made used for variety of applications such as food packaging, fibers, pipes, etc. Method of Linking Monomers: Addition. The monomers of Plexiglass are linked through addition, meaning in order for two monomers to
bond, a hydrogen must be broken off each of the monomers in order to form a large polymer rather then a single monomer. At this point, the two carbons will bond with bond with each other, and the process will repeat. Thermoset, Thermoplastic, Fiber, or Elastomer?:Thermoplastic. Plexiglass is thermoplastic, for it is a plastic that melts to a liquid under
enough heat, and freezes to a brittle, glassy-like state when cooled enough. Thermoplastics are generally high weight polymers. Biodegradable, Recyclable, or Renewable?: Recyclable!! Cross-linkage Occurrence: Plexiglass does have the ability to cross-link between the methyl group and the ester group. The methyl group
(see highlighted yellow area) is slightly more positive due to the presence of Hydrogen. The ester group (see highlighted blue area) is slightly more negative due to the two lone pairs and the more electronegative ares of Oxygen. Physical and Chemical Properties Physical Properties:
Density: 1.19 g/cm3
Melting Point: 130-140 degrees Celsius
Upon reaching its melting point, it can be formed formed or put into any shape.
Boiling Point: 200 degrees Celsius
Transparency: 92% total white light transmittance, they highest physically possible.
Weight: Less than 50% as heavy as glass
Insoluble in liquids
Electrical Properties: Surface Resistivity is on the high side (does not conduct electricity well) making it a good insulator.
Chemical Properties:
Combustibility: Temperature of Spontaneous Combustion (self ignition) is in between 850 and 869 degrees Fahrenheit Temperature at Ignition in Presence of Flame is in between 550 and 570 degrees Fahrenheit
Upon ignition, Plexiglass burns vigorously and generates intense heat
Chemical Resistance: Resistant and will not react to most chemicals
Will only react with chlorinated hydrocarbons, aromatic solvents, ethyl and methyl alcohol, organic acids,
lacquer thinners, esters, and ketones.
Practical and Industrial UsesPlexiglass has countless uses. It is extremely common, and seen on a daily basis, for it commonly acts as a shatter-proof, impact resistant replacement for glass. Some of its many uses include..
General Information
Common Name: Plexiglass or Acrylic Glass
Technical Name: Polymethyl Methacrylate (C5O2H8)n. Is also abbreviated as PMMA.
Type of Polymer: Synthetic. These polymers are man-made used for variety of applications such as food packaging, fibers, pipes, etc.
Method of Linking Monomers: Addition. The monomers of Plexiglass are linked through addition, meaning in order for two monomers to
bond, a hydrogen must be broken off each of the monomers in order to form a large polymer rather then a single monomer. At this point, the two carbons will bond with bond with each other, and the process will repeat.
Thermoset, Thermoplastic, Fiber, or Elastomer?: Thermoplastic. Plexiglass is thermoplastic, for it is a plastic that melts to a liquid under
enough heat, and freezes to a brittle, glassy-like state when cooled enough. Thermoplastics are generally high weight polymers.
Biodegradable, Recyclable, or Renewable?: Recyclable!!
Cross-linkage Occurrence: Plexiglass does have the ability to cross-link between the methyl group and the ester group. The methyl group
(see highlighted yellow area) is slightly more positive due to the presence of Hydrogen. The ester group (see highlighted blue area) is slightly more negative due to the two lone pairs and the more electronegative ares of Oxygen.
Physical and Chemical Properties
Physical Properties:
Upon reaching its melting point, it can be formed formed or put into any shape.
Chemical Properties:
Temperature at Ignition in Presence of Flame is in between 550 and 570 degrees Fahrenheit
Upon ignition, Plexiglass burns vigorously and generates intense heat
Will only react with chlorinated hydrocarbons, aromatic solvents, ethyl and methyl alcohol, organic acids,
lacquer thinners, esters, and ketones.
Practical and Industrial UsesPlexiglass has countless uses. It is extremely common, and seen on a daily basis, for it commonly acts as a shatter-proof, impact resistant replacement for glass. Some of its many uses include..
For Further Information...
http://www.worldofmolecules.com/3D/plexiglass_3d.htm
http://www.rplastics.com/phprofplac.html</span>
http://www.mech.utah.edu/~rusmeeha/labNotes/degradation.html
http://plastics.inwiki.org/Polymethyl_methacrylate
Works Cited:
"Plexiglass Physical Properties." RPlastics- the Rideout Plastics Store. Arkema Inc.. 16 May 2008 <http://www.rplastics.com/</span> phprofplac.html>.
""CV" Clear Plexiglass Lecterns." Displays2Go. 16 May 2008 <[[http://www.displays2go.com/product.asp?ID=762%3E.%3C/span%3C/span%3E%3E%3C/span%3E%3C/span%3E%3C/span%3E%3Cspan|http://www.displays2go.com/product.asp?ID=762>.</span><span]] style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0)">
"Acrylic Glass." Wikipedia. 06 May 2008. 16 May 2008 <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plexiglass>.
"Polymethyl Methacrylate." Plastics in Wiki. 29 January 2008. 16 May 2008 <http://plastics.inwiki.org/Polymethyl_methacrylate>.
Rusmee, Pichai. "Material Degradation." 1998. 16 May 2008. <[[http://www.mech.utah.edu/%7Erusmeeha/labNotes/degradation.html%3C/span%3E%3C/span%3E%3Cspan|http://www.mech.utah.edu/~rusmeeha/labNotes/degradation.html<span]] style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif; color: rgb(0, 0, 0)">
"Synthetic Polymer." Wikipedia. 09 April 2008. 16 May 2008 <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Synthetic_polymer>.